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Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Programs

NOTE: The Medicare EHR Incentive Program for returning eligible professionals (EPs) ended with the 2016 reporting period. Starting in 2017, Medicare eligible clinicians report to the Quality Payment Program. The attestation deadlines for the 2016 EHR reporting period to avoid the 2018 payment adjustment for returning EPs was March 13, 2017.

The Medicare eligible hospital and critical access hospital (CAH) attestation deadline has been changed from Wednesday, February 28, 2018, to Friday, March 16, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. This extension is being granted to provide hospitals additional time to submit attestation data and eCQM data.

CMS’ Annual Call for Measures for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) participating in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program is now open. CMS is encouraging stakeholders to identify and submit measures to be considered for inclusion in rulemaking in calendar year (CY) 2019. Measure implementation will be optional in CY 2020 but required beginning in CY 2021. Submit a measure proposal submission form by June 29, 2018.

CMS published the “Participating in the EHR Incentive Programs vs. MIPS in 2017” fact sheet, which provides a comprehensive overview of the EHR Incentive Programs and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), compares reporting and participation requirements for both programs, and provides resources for more information. Visit the Quality Payment Program Resource Library to review the fact sheet and other Quality Payment Program materials.

Stage 1 set the foundation for the EHR Incentive Programs by establishing requirements for the electronic capture of clinical data, including providing patients with electronic copies of health information.

Stage 2 expanded upon the Stage 1 criteria with a focus on advancing clinical processes and ensuring that the meaningful use of EHRs supported the aims and priorities of the National Quality Strategy. Stage 2 criteria encouraged the use of CEHRT for continuous quality improvement at the point of care and the exchange of information in the most structured format possible.

In October 2015, CMS released a final rule that modified Stage 2 to ease reporting requirements and align with other quality reporting programs. The final rule also established Stage 3 in 2017 and beyond, which focuses on using CEHRT to improve health outcomes.

Have questions about which stage of meaningful use you're supposed to be in? Review this table to determine appropriate stage of participation based on your first year in the EHR Incentive Programs.

Use the navigation bar on the left side of the page to learn more about the EHR Incentive Programs, including program requirements for specific years, registration and attestation information, payment adjustment & hardship exceptions, clinical quality measures (CQMs) and more.

You can also stay up to date on the latest EHR Incentive Program news and updates by following us on Twitter and by subscribing to the EHR Listserv.